Glenfinnan - the tiny village with an enormous history

Glenfinnan may be a tiny village, but it has become world-renowned for several things. Firstly the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie's fight for the British throne gathered momentum at Glenfinnan where he raised the Jacobite standard and rallied his clansmen for battle. It must have been an awe-inspiring sight, 1200 Highlanders gathered at the head of Loch Sheil among the steep mountains, waiting for the Prince’s arrival from Loch Nan Uamh on August 19th 1745. Glenfinnan Monuement marks this site and the memory of the clansmen who fought for the cause. It was built by Alexander MacDonald of Glenaladale in 1815. The monument is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. The Visitor Centre is open April – October and tells the whole story.

The next icon you will immediately be familiar with, is the famous Glenfinnan viaduct which carries the railway to Glenfinnan Station. It was designed by the famous rail and road engineer, Robert McAlpine, who became known as Concrete Bob. The viaduct at Glenfinnan carries the train across a 1,000-feet span, 100 feet above the ground. Another viaduct at Loch Nan Uamh was designed and built at the same time. Fascinatingly, it holds the remains of a horse and cart which fell into the concrete structure before it set. In the summer months, the Jacobite steam engine runs from here to Fort William and Mallaig and ordinary trains are available the rest of the year. The line from Glasgow reached Fort William in 1894 but was only extended to Mallaig in 1901 and is now considered to be among the finest railway journeys in the world, offering a perspective of scenery not available by road.

And of course, the filming of the second and third Harry Potter books, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' and 'Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban' took place in September 2001 and in 2003/4 with 'Hogwarts Express' calling at Glenfinnan. Pupils from Lochaber High School were dressed in wizard robes as pupils of Hogwarts Castle, the School for Wizards.

Glenfinnan House Hotel & Restaurant
Glenfinnan House Hotel stands just around the bay from the tall Bonnie Prince Charlie monument on Loch Shiel, with its lawn rolling down to the beach. The famous Glenfinnan viaduct railway bridge, used as a scene in several Harry Potter films, is... click for more details...
on the shore of Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan, PH37 4LT Tel: 0044 (0) 1397 722 235

Glenfinnan House Hotel Restaurant & Bar
The Glenfinnan House Hotel's restaurant and lounge bar have fantastic views looking over Loch Shiel and towards the Glenfinnan Monument and Ben Nevis. Our lochside location is amazing and very special. Our restaurant is open for fine dining... click for more details...
Glenfinnan, Tel: 0044 (0) 1397 722235